Blog

This year it seemed everyone was on the same frequency....sunflowers.  I've never seen so many sunflowers around homes, breweries--just about everywhere I looked.  I actually had some at my house as well. They were an absolute delight!  Some were very deliberately planted and others were strays from randomly dropped birdseeds.  Regardless of the method or motive for planting the yield was the same--massive, beautiful blossoms reaching for the sky. They seemed to be secret code for "be happy...enjoy life...don't let society get you down...look up!"  

As fall approaches I always find myself feeling sad.  I love summer--the warmth, color, sounds, and fun. While fall is beautiful...the doldrums of winter will follow.  I believe everyone should have one week of winter, but then the colorless, leafless, cold, butterflyless, germ filled, blahness needs to pass. Forgive my winter rant...back to fall.  I see the sunflowers starting to change as fall approaches and this too makes me sad. Then I remembered how much the birds love the seeds from the sunflowers.  These aren't ready for them to eat until the plant starts to fade and wither. 

The changing season turns the blossoms that nourished our souls all summer to food nourishing the birds when the cold approaches.  It is very likely these little guys will drop seeds here and there to restart the cycle in the spring.  There is important lessons in the changing of seasons.  This is especially clear to me as I'm getting older.  Our vitality changes.  While the new seasons are not quite the same--they are just as important.  We need to embrace each new season for what it has to offer.  Now I will keep telling myself this everyone morning when I'm dragging my stiff self out of bed.  

I have evidence this is true!  I fondly reflect on my grandmothers and my parents. The lessons learned, expert skills, and advice they shared was not there when they were in their 20's or even their 30's.  It came much later in life and they were eager to share. I'm thankful I often took time to appreciate them and their wisdom.  I often reflect on this and apply it everyday. They nourished us richly.  

This helps me say goodby to my shriveling sunflowers with dropping petals and browning leaves. The grateful birds will be enjoying them the most when the blooms look their worst.  I'm hopeful this will help soften the change of seasons and coldness of winter--the promise each season nourishes us in some way. 

Have a great week!

Beth